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Like many Americans on this Fourth of July weekend, the Patterson household will be hosting a backyard party with good food and drink and lots of games. Everyone loves an outdoor party this time of year.

Fun can be a powerful sales tool. We often find model homes merchandized with whimsy. Whimsy is fun and memorable, but consider how you can merchandise your model to be party ready: Outdoor party ready!

Does the model merchandising and fun stop at the covered outdoor living space, ignoring the entire backyard? Aren’t you selling both the house and the homesite? Why not demonstrate the various ways to enjoy your backyard?

Food

Perhaps it starts with a backyard bar-b-que grill and adjacent patio. Consider a weekend event where someone is grilling and offering your prospects something tasting to snack on. Think what would create delicious smells. Burgers are notorious for generating mouthwatering aromas as the juices from the sizzling burgers drop on the hot coals. Onions also create an irresistible smell for fajitas. (Hungry yet?)

Beverages

How about a drink? If you’re selling to a budget-constrained buyer, maybe in the center of your outdoor lounge area is a large Yeti cooler filled with cold beverages for both kids and adults. If the budget allows, you can also consider adding a tiki bar – but don’t forget to merchandize with frozen drinks!

Games

What about games? There are dozens of outdoor games that can be displayed in the backyard of the model. Consider games that your prospect might own or even take a moment and enjoy. Cornhole is an easy one – make sure to have your logo on the boards and sandbags. You might also consider bocce ball and an artificial putting green.

I like using brightly colored balls. One cleaver model home targeting family buyers had a rack of colored soccer balls, a football, volley ball and basketball. Colorful, memorable and fun!

Perhaps you can feature a fire-pit surrounded with colorful chairs. And let’s not forget the s’mores.

Most often we see models showcasing pools to demonstrate fun outside. There is something magical about water. Consider a pool with moving water for both the soothing sounds and the wonderful play of light that happens on moving water day or night.

Add lounge chairs to the adjacent patio and don’t forget to include a colorful umbrella. And if your target audience is a family buyer, why not include pool toys?

The backyard is supposed to be a place to have fun. A well-maintained lawn with a privacy fence is all well and good, but doesn’t really entice anyone to stay. If you merchandise your outdoor space with fun activities, your model becomes more memorable while also enticing prospective buyers to linger long enough to envision their future in your home – having fun!

I hope you and your family have fun this holiday weekend. Will you be hosting the fireworks show at your own home? Perhaps you’re traveling somewhere special. I’d love to hear about your 4th of July traditions!